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Think Math!

Think Math! takes the best of both traditional and reform curricula to treat important mathematical ideas, skills, and methods in a way that blends conceptual understanding with computational fluency. Think Math! materials are easy for teachers to use. They have a simple structure and manageable parts. And teachers are treated professionally. To help them develop their own repertoire of ideas and mathematical questions, teacher notes explain where the mathematical ideas lead and why they are introduced in the way that they are.

Standards, Objectives, and Materials are organized and listed at the beginning of each lesson.

About the Lesson conveys the lesson's purpose and mathematical focus.

About the Mathematics extends and deepens, for the teacher, important mathematical ideas in the lesson.

Teacher Stories explain different ways teachers have modified activities to meet the needs of their students.

Concept Alert calls attention to common errors that students might make, or ideas they might not fully understand.

High-quality mathematics The program includes substantial algebra, geometry, and data analysis by the end of grade 5.

Computational fluency and conceptual understanding Students get practice in basic skills while developing conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities, which also prepares them for national and state tests.

Differentiated instruction Lessons are designed to have easy entry, allowing all students to participate with reflective thinking and discussion, yet they also have layers of depth that challenge the most eager and advanced students, making the materials a real support for teachers of multilevel classes.

Effective design The materials are appealing to teachers and students, and they don’t distract from the content. Teachers can use the program without extensive prior professional development.

Learning-by-doing professional development The time teachers spend in their classrooms is treated as an opportunity learn new mathematical ideas and approaches to teaching.

Something new The program gets teachers to take a fresh look at math they already "know." It differs just enough from other programs in its presentation of mathematical ideas and its perspective on mathematics to offer teachers something novel to think about as they teach.

A variety of teaching stylesThink Math! supports different teaching styles and classroom structures, including whole-class instruction, individual work, and group work.

What's included in Think Math!?

Teacher Guides for Grades K to 5 are written to be a vital and interesting component of the lesson, enhancing the teacher's mathematical and pedagogical knowledge as well as giving suggestions for how to enhance students' skills and understanding.